Have driven

Audi a3 sportback with 150 cod stronic + 2.0 190 stronic multilink suspension. Preferred 150 cod as new 7speed box 1 gear too many for 190 imo. I use auto gearbox in manual mode most of the time and 190 was not good away from lights etc. Tried in all conditions for over an hour, mpg was poor below 40 mpg at 50-60 mph max, not impressed. Preferred my 6 speed dsg Octavia mk2 vrs diesel.   

Seat Leon 184 FR tdi dsg chassis was a bit disappointment compared to my Octavia vrs cr Mk2. Chassis lacked feel and not responsive enough for me but may be better with dcc or Bilstein b12 upgrade.

Seat Leon Cupra 280 driven 3, always got wow factor. MBQ platform has altered driving position though, not as good as my Octavia vrs cr Mk2.

Octavia 3 vrs 230 dsg. Best driving position but did not feel much better to drive than Mk 2 vrs imo. Another disappointment maybe better with dcc or Bilstein b12 upgrade.

Is the diff on the 150 non adjustable?

The diffs are both 'electronic' rather than mechanical and therefore can be re-programmed.

 

I think standard cars have XDS and VRS has XDS+. 230 ps Petrol VRS has the mechanical diff shared with Golf GTI Performance Pack. 

As a fairly pedestrian driver and only being able to compare the multi-link on the mk2 Octavia to the torsion bar on the mk3 I don't think you would notice that much difference between the two types in normal driving on normal roads.

However if you press on a bit then the multi-link is a bit more forgiving of road surfaces or driver errors.

If you get your entry speed, line, and exit speed right then the torsion bar rear is hardly noticeable.

Don't forget that torsion bar suspension has been used successfully on quite sporting and respected road vehicles.

You would have to arranged test drives/rides to really compare but from what I have read you may find that wheel size may have more effect on ride comfort than the suspension type.

One of the UK Skoda meets perhaps?

 

The area where the multi-link shows a distinct advantage is on badly corrugated dirt roads, which I suspect is more relevant here in Australia than the UK.

After owning a couple of Korean SUV which were equipped with overly stiff suspension to offset the heavy and high centre of gravity, the standard Mk2 (not even a Scout) with 15 inch wheels came as a revelation of off-road comfort.

The mk3 torsion bar and 17 inch wheels do struggle more with the conditions, but not as bad as I feared they would.

Edited 28 March, 20179 yr by Gerrycan

4 hours ago, basainty said:

I've never tries the TSI engines. Too much of a fan of diesels lol.

What's the TSI VRS like?

 

TSI is a gem.

 

Not that thirsty, but much more refined then TDI.

 

Since we have TDI and TSI inhouse, it's a big difference. Not only engine, RS TSI is much better car then Elegance TDI. Suspension, steering, noise... Significant difference.

19 minutes ago, nidza said:

 

TSI is a gem.

 

Not that thirsty, but much more refined then TDI.

 

Since we have TDI and TSI inhouse, it's a big difference. Not only engine, RS TSI is much better car then Elegance TDI. Suspension, steering, noise... Significant difference.

 

Interesting to know! Well I've only had this car for a month but next purchase I will make sure I test drive a TSI

8 hours ago, Gabbo said:

I think the current MY diesel vRS no longer has the uprated brakes so they would be the same as the standard O3 & the same for the 150 & 184PS.

Its only the TSI that has the larger brakes now.

Re disk sizes,last time I've searched 150 hp was 288mm, 184hp 312mn, 220/230hp 340mm.

 

Also vRS benefits from progressive steering, which is useful.

 

I'm happy with my O3 Vision 150hp, very balanced. Where I live the lower and stiffer vRS suspension is not ok for daily family car, I prefer the softer and higher ride. Also power is enough for me, even more than needed and usually pushes me fast beyond the limits (legal ones as well ;)), safe overtakings on B roads.

 

Maybe in few years will conaider vRS or L&K as logical upgrade, but leaving happy with my current choice.

10 hours ago, basainty said:

I think i would rather upgrade the suspension and brakes and leave the engine alone lol. Have the sportier feel but have an engine you can use more of.

 

I've never tries the TSI engines. Too much of a fan of diesels lol.

 

What's the TSI VRS like?

 

I haven't driven the diesel to compare, but the TSI is a cracker. I can't really see any major downside to it compared with the diesel, apart from economy. With that said, I have no reason to complain about the TSI fuel economy, if anything I'd go as far as saying it's pretty good for the performance available.

9 hours ago, langers2k said:

For normal road driving, probably not much.

 

When making progress down country lanes I'd expect the multilink to start making a difference.

 

I disagree - having owned both and covered 80k plus miles in each the vrs is much more firmly planted on the road and essentially predictable. The torsion beam vehicle balance is easily upset by minor bumps on roundabouts for example leaving the rear to jump about somewhat wildly even at normal speeds. On poor surfaces in country roads the deficiency is exacerbated and the non vrs tends to roll - the vrs is at s definate advantage remaining solid and progressive at speed 

vRS is more comfortable to ride comparing to our TDI Elegance. Difference is significant although RS is on 18 or 19" and Elegance on 16".

 

Over bumps front and rear suspension behave similar on vRS while on Elegance rear suspension is stiffer and jumpy. 

 

Not that bad, TDI is also lovely ride, performs as it should, but vRS actually outperforms its segment to be more precise. Steering and suspension are first thing you feel with this car that is so much different comparing to normal O3.

11 hours ago, nidza said:

vRS is more comfortable to ride comparing to our TDI Elegance. Difference is significant although RS is on 18 or 19" and Elegance on 16".

 

Over bumps front and rear suspension behave similar on vRS while on Elegance rear suspension is stiffer and jumpy. 

 

Not that bad, TDI is also lovely ride, performs as it should, but vRS actually outperforms its segment to be more precise. Steering and suspension are first thing you feel with this car that is so much different comparing to normal O3.

 

Yea I would of thought it would be more precise. My Elegance is running on 17" wheels so feels that bit sportier.

 

I'll definitely give a TSI vRS a test drive next time I get a chance. Will be good to compare.

On ‎28‎.‎03‎.‎2017 at 13:37, mk4gtiturbo said:

Anyone put a 150 on the rollers?  My 181hp vRS TDI was actually pushing out 196hp when it was measured by JKM.

 

I have

 

184hp 4x4 TDI factory:

 

184hp 4x4 TDI modified:

14 minutes ago, nrvous said:

 

I have

 

 

That's interesting, Factory is about 173bhp and modified is 210bhp.  I'm guessing this is because it's a 4x4 and some gets lost in the transmission?  How much could be lost because of heat? 

 

Mine is 20bhp up from that unmodified but only 2wd.

I previously had a 140BHP TDI now I have the 184BHP.

The smaller turbo in the 140/150 engine spins up faster so you will get less turbo-lag and less unburned fuel being shoved through to the DPF when you put your foot down. But the bigger one in the 170/184 ultimately forces more air into the engine so delivers higher peak output figures. Personally I think the former is better for real world use. 

That's interesting. My ideal car would be the vRS with the 150 engine.

 

How does the TSI vRS fare for real world use?

Diesel is ideal only if you make really high mileages. Besides consumption, really no arguments left for TDI comparing to TSI, it is simply so much better, especially 2.0.

 

RS with TSI is the best driver's Škoda you can get now. RS 230 (245) are on top. You don't lose anything, it is spacious, rational, Simply Clever as any other Škoda, plus it's so fun.

In addition to consumption, residual values for Diesel VRS vs Petrol VRS are generally better. 

Does anyone has idea what types of turbos are used in TDI engines - variable geometry, twin scroll or something else?

 

Also when injectors are bigger on 184 vs 150hp, how the box tuning manage to provide equal power with smaller injectors, where is the catch/difference?